53 And 55, New Street

Nos 53 and 55 on New Street are a pair of cottages, likely built in the late 18th century to early 19th century, with 20th-century extensions at the rear. They are constructed from plastered granite stone rubble, featuring granite stacks with granite ashlar chimney shafts, and have a slate roof adorned with pierced crested ridge tiles, which may have originally been thatched.

The cottages are designed as contemporary one-room plans with a passageway between them, facing east onto the street. No 53 is on the right (north) and has an axial stack backing onto the passage, while No 55, on the left, has a stack in the end wall. Originally, both cottages had winder stairs beside the stacks, with doors leading off the passage. No 55 also includes an additional chamber above the passage. Both cottages are two storeys high.

The exterior features a symmetrical three-window front with 20th-century casements that include glazing bars. The central passageway has a solid timber frame with a 20th-century plank door, and there is a similar frame at the rear. The roofs of the cottages adjoin those of the neighboring properties on either side.

Inside, each ground floor room has a plain soffit-chamfered axial beam, and both fireplaces are blocked by 20th-century grates. The roof is not accessible, but the feet of the principal rafters are visible, suggesting that the A-frame trusses are original. It is notable that this pair of small cottages has survived in such a complete condition, and they contribute to a group of listed buildings along the west side of New Street.